Apicius Kitchen & Bar

My mother has had treatment at MD Anderson for the past 1.5 years. When we first began going, I had to bring my two young children and father with me. My husband was working out of town so it was easier to care for everyone if we stayed at The Rotary House, the hotel that houses this restaurant. As time passed and circumstances changed, I had to send my mother for treatment accompanied by my father. They don't do well driving in Houston traffic or organizing rides, so once again, Rotary was the obvious choice. So, we lived at the hotel off and on for a year and a half. Most of the time, we ate at Apicus, so here is everything you need to know. Some of the servers and hosts are the best you will ever meet. I'd say about half. The rest are barely hanging on. Always pleasant but not always, or let's say, just not on top of the situation. But, if you get a good one, you will definitely know. They understand what almost everyone there is dealing with and surpass expectations. Next, the food...well, it will be a far shorter list to tell you what is good as opposed to the later. Appetizers...the brucetta is simple and good. All of the salads are good. The French onion soup has been 100% good, 100% of the time I've had it. It is my go to. Very, very good. Chicken Scampi is good but the pasta is always overcooked. Do not get the shrimp scampi. Just don't. The meatloaf is usually decent. Country fried chicken plate is good. Salmon with quinoa is good. Burgers are good. Ordering off the menu does usually take a very, very long time, so be prepared. If I haven't mentioned it...beware. The breakfast buffet is the absolute best. Omelet station, french toast, waffle station. All the fresh fruit, fresh juice, good coffee, plenty of light options, excellent biscuits. Yes. Go to the breakfast buffet. The pecan pie and the molten chocolate cake both come with some of the best vanilla ice-cream I've ever had. Getting these, to go is also an option. The dinner buffet is hit or miss. I've had decent food, good salads, and probably the worst fish I've ever had on the dinner buffet. Desert is ok...cobbler is usually good and they have ice-cream. Just vanilla and chocolate, but hey, it's ice-cream. Prime rib night on the buffet is usually decent, but nothing special. However, you know what is special??? The to go option for the buffet. Plenty of to go boxes make it easy to pack up an assortment of things a cancer patient may or may not like and let them graze on their own time in the comfort of their room. This is a superior option. Atmosphere. Plenty of nights I've turned all the lights out so my mother could rest in her room and gone back to the hospital for medical chores. On the way back to the room, I stop by the restaurant bar, order some excellent red or white wine, a snack, and just mellow put before I have to step back into caregiving. Many times, I have sat down at a large table in the restaurant at a large table, alone with medical paperwork strewn about working on what I have to work on. When my mother's tumors shrank 40% during her 2nd trial scan, we went to the restaurant and had a celebration margarita. Everyone there knows one way or another what it is to deal with cancer, and you just can compare that atmosphere to anything else. It is properly appointed to allow patrons to do whatever it is they need to do. In summation, I give Apicus 5 stars. Not because they have amazing food, not because all of the service is flawless all of the time, not because of value, but based on the restaurant as a whole. It is a sit down, nice-ish restaurant that you can walk into after a very hard day, looking like death warmed over and recieve smiles, a hot meal, a good drink and a moment to think about something other than where you are amd what you're dealing with. Friendly faces, clean and well-appointed areas, areas where families can gather together, or you can hide from the world. I am glad it is there, and I hope it stays.

APICIUS is my HAPPY place when I am staying at the Rotary House! Latarsha and her team have become like family through the many years! My birthday 2-14-52 has been spent with them for way too many to count and the countless “surprises” they have offered up are some of my best life memories! A big shout out to Yolanda & Rivet for all the many kindnesses they showed to us as our servers as well as Kim, our photographer that figured out a clever way to include herself in the shot and Latarsha most especially the Manager who gave us that VIP status that made us feel so loved last night. In an environment like this where most of the patrons are sick, she and her staff are like “Angels” that go way over the call of duty to give you that super special dining experience that for the moment takes you away from your current situation of being the “patient”! Thanks to ALL for your tremendous effort in making us feel the love and most especially bringing on the BEST food in town!! Latarsha, that Spaghetti brought on happiness to Gary that has not been seen this entire month after his 3 surgeries and for that I am eternally grateful! He can’t wait to dive into his doggie bag for dinner! With My Love and humble Appreciation ~ Martha❤️

I love this place. It's a long trip out here to visit the hospital, but I always look forward to eating at Apicius while I'm here. I've been more times than I can count and everything has been delicious. They have lots of great things on the menu, but lately I've been loving the buffet option. Thank you and keep up the great work!